Did Nicolle Wallace Call Out Kristen Welker Over WHCD Stephen Miller Moment?

On the July 27 episode of MS NOW’s Deadline: White House, host Nicolle Wallace discussed Friday’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner and took a swipe at journalists who were supportive of Donald Trump at the event. Many viewers on Threads are certain Wallace was subtly calling out NBC News’ Kristen Welker, who received criticism after she was seen laughing with White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller at the event.

Wallace began the segment by pointing out why Trump is such a threat to journalists and the First Amendment. And while she didn’t name any specific names, she said, “It was a jarring image to witness Washington journalists laughing with the architect of Donald Trump’s inhumane child separation policy and deadly mass deportation agenda. It was equally jarring to see others politely clap at the man who threatened the broadcast licenses of NBC and ABC. We do not intend with our coverage today to single out any one journalist, but to point to other threats to democracy and issue a warning about the immediate dangers of cozying up to someone who aspires, very publicly, to take away the right that all journalists have to cover Donald Trump and his administration.”

@ninacelested (SEE DISCLAIMER) Kristen Welker speaks to Stephen Miller at the White House Correspondents Dinner on July 24, 2026. (DISCLAIMER: My lip readings should not be taken for the truth or fact as I do not know if what I’m reading is 100% accurate. I am not a professional and this is alleged.) OP: @Blue Georgia #whitehouse #stephenmiller #kristenwelker #politics #journalism ♬ original sound – nina celeste | lip reading

She called out the journalists who “shook Donald Trump’s hand and smiled after winning awards for courage and accountability for reporting on Trump’s relationship with convicted child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein,” along with those who “applauded” as Trump made “petty and cruel insults” about their colleagues. However, she noted, it’s unclear whether the applause was due to “deference or fear or agreement.”

Although Welker was never specifically mentioned, a Threads user theorized that Wallace was taking a dig at her, writing, “Nicole Wallace is discussing the disgusting decision by Kristen Welker to yuck it up with Stephen Miller. Way to go Deadline White House.” Someone responded, “Everyone knows who she was putting on blast. Thanks
@nicollewallace for keeping it [100].”

Another commenter added, “She was so clear about who she was talking about but kept it cordial and classy not calling her out directly. THIS is why I watch Nicolle,” and someone else said, “She walked a fine line—she didn’t name Welker but it was clear who she meant.”

Deadline: White House, Weekdays, 4/3c, MS NOW